Boy Scouts of America

OUTDOOR
PROGRAMS

OUTDOOR
PROGRAMS

Why the Outdoors

Outdoor adventure is the promise made to young people when they join Scouting. Boys and girls yearn for outdoor programs that stir their imagination and interest.

In the Outdoors we strive to meet the Aims of Scouting.

Character Development:

In the outdoors, Scouts have opportunities to acquire skills that make them more self-reliant. They can explore canoe and hiking trails and complete challenges they first thought were beyond their ability. Attributes of good character become part of them as they learn to cooperate to meet outdoor challenges that may include extreme weather, difficult trails and portages, and dealing with nature’s unexpected circumstances.

Citizenship:

Good youth leadership, communication, and teamwork enable them to achieve goals they have set for themselves, their patrol, and their troop. This working together through the patrol and troop teaches active citizenship. 

Personal Fitness:

Scouts are challenged in the outdoor adventure and high adventure and are pushed physically and mentally to accomplish tasks of the outdoors. 

Leadership:

Scouts plan and carry out activities from start to finish. With thoughtful guidance from their Scoutmaster and other adult leaders scouts make a plan and carry out this plan. Learning by doing is a hallmark of outdoor education. A youth or adult leader may describe and demonstrate a Scouting skill at a weekly meeting, but the way Scouts truly learn outdoor skills is to do it themselves on a troop outing.

Camp Director Resource Page

This is a resource page designed specifically for Camp Directors. You will find information on a variety of topics and it will be updated often. Click here to go the page. 

Short-term Camp Resources Page

This is a resource page designed to discuss the short-term camp classification of the BSA and provide the resources to be able to implement this type of camp in your council. Click HERE to go to the page. 

Trail to Adventure Blog

For the latest articles and information about the Outdoor Programs of the BSA subscribe to the Trail to Adventure blog or visit the site at https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/trail-to-adventure/

Outdoor Programs and Properties Webinar Series

Click here to see the list of upcoming webinar topics from Outdoor Programs and Properties. 

https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/opp-webinar-series/ 

Outdoor Programs & Properties Manual

Your one stop for all council outdoor program information, with links to all current resources. Replaces the Camp Program & Property Management guide. DOWNLOAD THE OUTDOOR PROGRAMS & PROPERTIES MANUAL

Distinguished Conservation Service Award

For more than a century, the BSA has encouraged and honored conservation work with an award that recognizes youth, adults and organizations who have demonstrated tremendous effort and commitment to the environment. The BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award is used to underscore the importance of encouraging everyone to participate in environmental stewardship.

Click here to read more information about the BSA’s Distinguished Conservation Service Award.

BSA Chain Saw Training

The release of the updated BSA Chain Saw Training is here. 

Program Quality Evaluation Tool (PQET)

Councils can evaluate and improve their outdoor and camp programs using this self evaluation tool.  Your Scouts deserve the best! LEARN MORE

CAMP RANGER BASIC TRAINING INFORMATION

Camping COVID-19 Resources

The safety and health of campers and staff is always the highest priority at camp, and BSA camps have a long history of planning for and managing communicable diseases. Click here for resources to support COVID-19 mitigation within BSA camping programs. 

Contact the Outdoor Programs and Properties Team

Have a question? email us at outdoorprograms@scouting.org 

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.